January Roundup: It’s been a busy month!

January Roundup: I have no list of New Year’s resolutions. It means there’s no list hidden that I pull out in 6 months time and then get to feel miserable about my utter failure to keep any of them. Instead, I have some broad goals for the year, to get PBs from 5 to 50k. Insane of me I’m sure.

So with that in mind, I’ve decided to do a monthly roundup of the highs and the lows, what’s worked and what hasn’t, and to think about what I should be doing more or less of.

Here goes….

 

Running

 

Total Mileage for Jan 2018 – 96 miles

 

I colour code my runs.

Green = great run

Amber = so so, or bad start but got better

Red= utter shite.

You’ll note that how I felt a run went has little to do with times, but rather how it felt.

But there has been progress over the last year. On January 1 2017, Parkrun seemed a long way. This year I’m starting with a better base having kicked off with a double Parkrun and running from one to the other. But I need to build on this, and by quite a bit if I really want those PBs. You’ll note I don’t share my specific goals on time. It’s not that I’m secretive, I just think sharing can sometimes backfire (read more here).

My running month has been mixed. Like pretty much everyone else, I’ve had a few lurgies. Thankfully nothing major and certainly not the dreaded flu. But it’s resulted in a few days off to recuperate and a few runs that really sucked.

I did do the fabulous Tadworth 10. While a brilliant race that I plan to do again, there was nothing in my legs – perhaps pre-lurgy; perhaps hormones (I’m researching a post of this); or, just one of those days.

 

Stuff supporting my running

I’ve been crap on doing my core exercises and I can feel it. Once I hit about 8 miles on longer runs, I start collapsing into myself – it’s not a good look and it’s not comfortable. And by the end of the run I can feel those pesky hip flexors giving me grief. Something to work on.

The other thing I wanted to address is my weight. Weight will have a big influence on times so losing the odd pound here or there will benefit my running. This isn’t about being a skinny thing – that’s never going to happen. I’ve lost 2kgs kilos over the last month by tweaking my diet a little. Let’s see how it goes.

 

 

Other highlights

Scotland and Drink Baotic

I was lucky enough to go up to Scotland early in the New Year. There was rain and some running about. On my way back via Glasgow I met up with Isatou and Paul from Drink Baotic. Not only do they have a great product, but a portion of their profits go to support local communities in Africa. And also they’re lovely lovely people!

More to come on this.

 

Racecheck

Last year I headed off to Epping Forest to do a promo for Racecheck. It involved filming. This was so far outside my comfort zone. I can’t tell you how many times I almost feigned an illness to get out of it!

It meant being front and centre rather than hiding in the background somewhere like I generally do in group photos. You might not think it if you’re a reader of this blog but I can’t tell you how self- conscious I am with all those selfies and obligatory photos of bling.

So, in January, the video was released – they did a great job with it. I do have to admit I laugh every time I see myself in it!

 

 

Do go check them out – a great site for reading reviews of races you’re thinking of doing; and for reviewing races!

 

Hackney Half Pacer meet-up

After a grim run earlier in the day, I headed to Northwest London to a meet and greet with the Hackney Half Pacer group at the Virgin offices. I’m pacing for the 2:20 group at the May race.

I didn’t know what to expect, and yet again I was walking into a room of folks I didn’t know. It was a fab evening – some briefing, drinks and food, and a friendly bunch – what’s not to love!

And apart from the race itself, I learned that there will be training runs for folks running Hackney and a chance to meet their pacers. This will be happening in February – details to follow!

And if you want to meet your pacer, here are some of the folks to look out for –

 

 

The National Running Show

The National Running Show – had a great time and met up with lots of folks from Racecheck and many others. And I got to see myself on a poster which is a very weird experience.

The only disappointment of the weekend is Running On Full not being shortlisted in The Running Awards 2018. I want to thank everyone who voted for me and give a huge congratulations to all those bloggers who were shortlisted – I’ll see you on the night!

 

 

So here’s looking forward to the month ahead!

 

 

How has your January been?